Weather to serve up a Wimbledon treat as temperatures rise

WIMBLEDON and Glastonbury are set to get off to the perfect start with glorious sunshine and temperatures hitting 86F (30C).

Andy Murray begins the defence of his Wimbledon title on Monday [GETTY]

Forecasters say the mercury could reach a sweltering 79F (26C) on Centre Court next week.

And while festival-goers are used to wellies and brollies at this time of year, the good news is that it will keep getting hotter for when Glastonbury kicks off next Wednesday.

But the Met Office warned of “high” and “very high” pollen forecasts across southern and central Britain for the next three days, which will spell misery for 18 million hayfever sufferers.

Spokeswoman Laura Young said: “It is going to be quite sunny in most places over the weekend with temperatures continuing to creep up.

“We are confident the high pressure will stick around until at least Wednesday and Thursday, though it may break down bringing some showers.

“It is a good start to Wimbledon and Glastonbury, though pollen levels are very high.”

The Met Office outlook is for warm weather lasting up to July although there could be a chance of rain next week.

It says: “There is an increased chance of some rain across northern and western parts but with fine weather persisting across the South-east.

“By the start of July, there are indications that conditions may turn more changeable than the latter part of June. It will feel warm or very warm in the sunnier periods.”

Unusually, northern Britain has had warmer temperatures than the South.

The hottest temperature so far this year was 81F (27C) in Cupar, Fife, on Wednesday, beating 79.7F (26.5C) in Essex last week.

Ladbrokes slashed odds from 5/2 to 9/4 that the summer will enter the record books beating 2006 when the average, day and night, was 60.4F (15.78C)

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said the mercury could go up to 86F (30C) at some spots in the South next week.

He said: “There is a huge area of high pressure and that looks as if it is here to stay. Temperatures are going to keep rising; also the wind – which has kept things slightly cooler over the past few days – will be changing direction, letting things heat up.

“It is great news for Wimbledon and Glastonbury with no sign of a wash-out on the way.”

Leon Brown, forecaster for The Weather Channel, said: “High pressure remains just to our west. The best day will be Sunday but northern Scotland [will be] more cloudy with a few spits of rain.

“It could reach 79F (26C) at Wimbledon.”

But James Madden, of Exacta Weather, said: “The rest of June is likely to see a North-east and South divide. The North would be more prone to some periods of thundery showers that may extend further south at times.”

Last night, Ladbrokes slashed odds from 5/2 to 9/4 that the summer will enter the record books beating 2006 when the average, day and night, was 60.4F (15.78C).

And it has set odds of 10/1 that the mercury soars to 90F [32.22C] anywhere before July.

Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “Glastonbury and Wimbledon fans can rejoice at last, as the odds suggest wellies and brollies can be left at home this year.”